Senior Geneticist - Research & Development

Placements24; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + bonus

Health & life insurance

Generous vacation & study leave

Access to genomic tech

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 in Port Elizabeth is seeking a Senior Geneticist to lead high-impact R&D initiatives across agriculture, medicine or environmental science. You will design and execute complex genetic studies, analyze large-scale genomic data, and drive innovative solutions.

You will mentor junior scientists, collaborate with bioinformaticians and statisticians, and present findings at scientific meetings while contributing to grant proposals and publications.

Qualifications

• PhD required in genetics, genomics, molecular biology, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years post-doctoral or industry research experience.
• Experience with molecular genetics techniques and next-generation sequencing (NGS).
• Proficiency with bioinformatic tools and statistical software for genetic data analysis.
• Proven ability to lead research projects and mentor junior scientists.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead genetic research projects focusing on gene function, regulation, and variation.
• Perform advanced genetic analyses, including sequencing data analysis and GWAS.
• Develop and optimize experimental protocols for genetic manipulation and gene editing.
• Interpret genomic data and translate findings to R&D pipelines.
• Collaborate with bioinformatics, statistics, and science teams to ensure project success.
• Prepare reports, publications, and grant proposals; present findings at meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Bioinformatics

Statistics

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Genetics, Genomics, Molecular Biology, or related field

Tools

NGS data analysis

Bioinformatics software

Statistical software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Senior Geneticist to lead critical research and development initiatives in Port Elizabeth . This role is central to advancing our understanding of genetic mechanisms and applying this knowledge to develop innovative solutions in areas such as agriculture, medicine, or environmental science. You will be responsible for designing and executing complex genetic studies, analyzing large-scale genomic data, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of scientists. We are looking for a passionate individual with a deep understanding of genetics and genomics, coupled with strong leadership and project management skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement cutting-edge research projects focused on gene function, regulation, and variation.
• Perform advanced genetic analysis, including genotyping, sequencing data analysis, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
• Develop and optimize experimental protocols for genetic manipulation, gene editing (e.g., CRISPR), and related molecular techniques.
• Interpret complex genomic data and translate findings into actionable insights for R&D pipelines.
• Collaborate with bioinformatics specialists, statisticians, and other researchers to ensure the successful execution of projects.
• Author research reports, publications, and grant proposals, and present findings at scientific meetings in Port Elizabeth .

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Genetics, Genomics, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant post-doctoral or industry research experience.
• Extensive experience with various molecular genetics techniques and technologies, including next-generation sequencing (NGS).
• Proficiency in bioinformatic tools and statistical software for genetic data analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research projects and mentor junior scientists.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, disability, and life insurance.
• Generous vacation and study leave policy.
• Access to advanced genomic technologies and a supportive research environment in Port Elizabeth .
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development in the field of genetics.